Grounds for Demand of ST-2 Status for the Khah Tribe
1. Distinct Tribal Identity
The Khah (Khasha) community constitutes a distinct tribal group with a well-defined historical, social, and cultural identity. The community is traditionally recognised as Khasha/Khah in local records, folklore, and oral history, and is not a sub-group of any dominant linguistic or ethnic community.
2. Distinct Language (Khah)
- The Khah tribe speaks Khah language, an Indo-Aryan language distinct from Kashmiri, Urdu, and Poguli.
- The language has:
- Its own phonology, vocabulary, and grammatical structure
- A wide geographical spread across Ramban district and adjoining areas
- Published grammar books, literary works, and dictionaries
- Language is a core marker of tribal identity, fulfilling one of the major criteria used by the Registrar General of India (RGI).
3. Primitive Traits (as per constitutional interpretation)
While the term “primitive” is outdated, the constitutional understanding includes:
- Strong dependence on traditional occupations such as:
- Pastoralism
- Subsistence agriculture
- Forest-based livelihoods
- Retention of traditional knowledge systems, tools, housing styles, and food practices
- Limited penetration of modern urban life in large sections of the community
4. Distinctive Culture, Customs, and Social Institutions
The Khah tribe maintains:
- Distinct marriage customs, kinship systems, and clan structures
- Rich folk traditions, songs, proverbs, and oral narratives in Khah language
- Indigenous dispute-resolution mechanisms and community councils
These features clearly differentiate the community from neighbouring non-tribal populations.
5. Geographical Isolation
- The Khah tribe predominantly inhabits remote, hilly, and inaccessible areas of the Chenab Valley.
- Poor connectivity, difficult terrain, and climatic hardships have historically:
- Restricted access to education, healthcare, and employment
- Preserved tribal characteristics due to limited outside interaction
6. Social and Educational Backwardness
- Low literacy rates, especially among women
- High dropout rates due to poverty, distance from schools, and lack of infrastructure
- Under-representation in higher education and government employment
This backwardness is structural and historical, not incidental.
7. Economic Backwardness
- Predominantly low-income households
- Dependence on rain-fed agriculture, livestock, and daily wage labour
- Minimal land holdings and lack of access to institutional credit
- Seasonal migration for survival
These indicators strongly justify inclusion under ST-2 for targeted welfare.
8. Anthropological and Ethnographic Evidence
- The Khah tribe has been mentioned in regional ethnographic accounts, academic research, and linguistic studies.
- Modern scholarly works have documented:
- The history of the Khah language
- Tribal origins and migration patterns
- Cultural continuity over centuries
9. Parity with Similarly Placed ST Communities
- Several communities with comparable socio-economic, cultural, and geographical conditions have already been granted ST status under ST-2 in Jammu & Kashmir.
- Denial to the Khah tribe amounts to discriminatory exclusion, violating the principle of equality.
10. Constitutional and Legal Basis
- Article 342 of the Constitution of India empowers inclusion of tribal communities based on established criteria.
- The Khah tribe fulfills the RGI and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) parameters:
- Distinct culture
- Distinct language
- Geographical isolation
- Backwardness
11. Need for Preservation of Language and Culture
Granting ST-2 status will:
- Enable institutional protection of the Khah language
- Promote education in the mother tongue
- Support documentation, research, and cultural revival
- Prevent cultural erosion and linguistic extinction
12. Long-standing Demand and Democratic Assertion
- The demand for ST-2 status is long-standing, peaceful, and democratic
- Raised repeatedly by:
- Community organisations
- Scholars, linguists, and writers
- Civil society platforms
- The demand reflects constitutional aspiration, not political opportunism.
Conclusion
The Khah tribe clearly meets all constitutional, anthropological, linguistic, social, and economic criteria required for inclusion under ST-2. Granting this status is essential for social justice, inclusive development, and preservation of tribal identity in the Chenab Valley.
